The Entombment

Andrea Briosco, called Riccio

Associated Names
Andrea Briosco, called Riccio

Sculptor, Paduan, 1470 - 1532

The sculpture is a relief depicting a scene with multiple figures. A central, semi-nude male figure is surrounded by several people. One person touches his chest. Other figures, including two smaller winged ones, display varied facial expressions. The scene is dynamic, with the characters engaging each other. The metal plaque is likely bronze, with a dark metallic brown color and greenish patina. The composition captures the figures in motion, with flowing garments and textured hair. The detailed craftsmanship shows human anatomy and emotion. The relatively small size suggests it is meant to be viewed up close for appreciating details.

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    bronze

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall: 7.6 × 7.82 cm (3 × 3 1/16 in.)
    gross weight: 284.21 gr (0.627 lb.)

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.253

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Gustave Dreyfus [1837-1914], Paris; his estate; purchased 1930 by (Duveen Brothers, Inc., London and New York); purchased 1945 by the Samuel H. Kress Foundation, New York; gift 1957 to NGA.

Associated Names

Bibliography

1931

  • Ricci, Seymour de. The Gustave Dreyfus Collection. Reliefs and Plaquettes. Oxford, 1931. Vol.II, 129.

1965

  • Pope-Hennessy, John W. Renaissance Bronzes from the Samuel H. Kress Collection: Reliefs, Plaquettes, Statuettes, Utensils and Mortars. London, 1965: no. 205.

1983

  • Wilson, Carolyn C. Renaissance Small Bronze Sculpture and Associated Decorative Arts at the National Gallery of Art. Washington, 1983: 88, no. 1.

1989

  • Sturman, Shelley and Berrie, Barbara. "Technical Examination of Riccio Plaquettes." Studies in the History of Art 22 (1989):178-180, 186, repro.

2003

  • Gregori, Mina, ed. In the Light of Apollo: Italian Renaissance and Greece. 2 vols. Exh. cat. National Gallery and Alexandros Souzos Museum, Athens, 2003-2004: 1:386.

Inscriptions

on reverse, oriented laterally, with stem parallel to bottom edge, cast in relief: R

Markings

Reverse bears earlier-style NGA accession number in red paint.

Wikidata ID

Q63814691

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